2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
10/100
#10 most-complained of 11 Trailblazer years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer has a complaint index of 10, the lowest among all model years with data, and carries no recalls. It's rated Good, though capped from a higher verdict because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete.
- Complaints
- 27
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
Top 2009 Chevy Trailblazer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System18 (67%)
- Airbags4 (15%)
- Brakes3 (11%)
- Engine3 (11%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Other1 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
What owners report
- Ignition-related stalling has caused engines to cut out at highway speed, sometimes needing a moment on the shoulder before the vehicle restarts.
- Some owners report the engine dying unexpectedly at low speed while maneuvering in tight spaces like a driveway or yard.
- Front airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple collisions, including a rear-end and t-bone crash, despite significant vehicle damage.
- Low beam headlights have reportedly stopped working sporadically at various driving speeds, with dealers unable to pinpoint the cause.
- Hitting a bump or driving in wet conditions has reportedly triggered stability control and ABS warning lights along with a four-wheel-drive maintenance alert.
- Owners report the blower motor failing when wiring at the resistor melted together.
2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,050
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
- Among Trailblazer model years, 2009 has the lowest complaint index (10) and no recalls, earning a Good verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
- NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints make up 67% of reports, followed by Airbags at 15%, Brakes at 11%, and Engine at 11%.
- Does the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2009 Trailblazer, unlike earlier years such as 2006, which had eight recalls.
- Why isn't the 2009 Trailblazer rated higher than Good?
- Its verdict is capped at Good because NHTSA complaint records for the 2005-2009 Trailblazer model years are considered less complete, even though its complaint index of 10 is the lowest of any year.
- Did airbags fail to deploy in the 2009 Trailblazer?
- NHTSA complaints describe airbags not deploying in at least two separate crashes, including a rear-end collision at 70 mph and a t-bone crash, with injuries reported in both.